Budapest Names Small Park After Elvis Presley

Budapest's city council has approved a plan to name a small park after Elvis Presley in commemoration of The King's support for Hungary's anti-Soviet revolution of 1956.

Budapest mayor Istvan Tarlos said Wednesday that a plot near the Margaret Bridge will be called Elvis Presley Park to honor the singer's "sincere sympathy" toward the short-lived uprising.

On Jan. 6, 1957, during his last appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show," Elvis sang a gospel standard, "Peace in the Valley," which Sullivan said reflected the singer's concern for Hungarians' plight after the uprising. Sullivan said Elvis wanted people to make donations to be sent to Hungary.

The site in Buda, separated from Pest by the Danube River, was chosen in voting held last month on the city website.

Reactions

Why doesn't Deutschland do much more in remembrance of Elvis...he spent almost two years there and the germans should take an example on Budapest !! We expect much more from Frau Merkel, really. The Café Europa releases should be promoted heavily by FTD and Sony/BMG on german TV, radio + press (also other countries in E.U. should do more)!! This somehow brings Elvis closer to Europeans... as close as he could possibly get to Europe.